PCC to hold Rural Crime Issues Forum

A FORUM is being held for people to share their concerns about rural crime.

The event in Weardale has been organised by Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg following a survey which revealed that the cost of countryside crime could be in excess of £800million – much higher than previously thought.

The National Rural Crime Survey was published in September and found the cost of rural crime was around 21 times greater than previously thought.

Mr Hogg said: “Following the publication of the National Rural Crime Survey results and my recent meeting with the Weardale Area Action Partnership [WAP] board members I am keen to understand the issues residents are facing.

“I want to work in partnership with the rural communities and the constabulary to ensure issues are addressed and lessen the fear of crime through effective communication and crime prevention.”

The survey found that the number of offences committed could be greater than current figures suggest because more than a quarter of people asked said they did not report the last crime of which they were a victim.

More than 17,000 people in rural areas responded to the survey, with more than a third of people living in rural areas saying they were worried about being a victim of crime and less than a quarter were satisfied with the police’s ability to solve crime.

The rural crimes issues forum is taking place on December 10 at the Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope from 6pm.